Summary

Reduction in investment and maintenance has led to deterioration of public parks and open spaces in South Ashford.

Ashford Borough Council does express its support for parks and open spaces in in its policies and it is hoped that this will lead to some improvements.

Whilst some capital funding might be gained from grant funding bodies and from developer contributions, these sources are unlikely to provide funding for ongoing maintenance.

There may be opportunities to raise revenue from park users and from activities undertaken in parks and open spaces but care is needed to ensure that the atmosphere of the parks and open spaces is not lost as a result of commercial activity.

South Ashford Community Forum believes that there are opportunities for community involvement in parks and open spaces and that this may provide resource for some maintenance tasks, consequently bringing some reduction in costs in addition to direct benefits to the community.